Brexit: despatches from the downside – No 9
17/11/2023
Your weekly update from the Brexit ‘downside bunker’, chronicling the downsides, and occasional upsides, of Brexit.
Manufacturers warn of ‘devastating price war’ on consumers if tariffs are enforced in 2024.
It’s no secret that COVID-19 and Brexit have had a lasting effect on a wealth of businesses. In particular, the manufacturing sector has been heavily impacted due to the UK’s withdrawal from the single market and the subsequent restrictions on imports and exports.
Brexit and the red tape explosion
16/08/2023
Helmuth Porschen ponders the fate of UKCA and wonders why the government can’t persuade the rest of the world to adopt British standards.
Shadow International Trade Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch urging her to reach an agreement with Brussels. / Time is running out to strike a deal with Brussels over post-Brexit rules which could hamper British car exports, Labour warns today.
CE symbol due to stay after government U-turn.
The government has quietly admitted Singapore-on-Thames is dead.
The majority of English regions and Wales are seeing a downward trend in their share of manufacturing exports to the European Union (EU) suggesting a potential structural shift in the UK’s trade patterns, according to the latest analysis published by Make UK and accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
Future of Vauxhall’s Luton plant in doubt over tariffs.
The long term future of a major vehicle plant and 1,500 jobs could be put in jeopardy if part of the Brexit treaty is not renegotiated, its plant director has warned.
With 70 per cent of vans being exported into mainland Europe, tariffs could make the future of the plant unworkable.
New Brexit tariffs on electric car parts threaten the future of Vauxhall’s huge factory in Luton, the plant’s director has warned.
‘Brexit is materially restricting our growth now,’ manufacturer Farrat says. / Manchester — Sick of customs delays and extra bureaucracy since Britain left the EU, Farrat, a small manufacturer on the edge of Manchester, is ramping up investment to compensate — in Germany.
Output, new orders and jobs in the sector fell to a four-month low in May, according to closely watched economic data.
Britain should continue following EU car regulations to avoid extra costs for consumers, says the boss of Ford. / Tim Slatter's comments come as car manufacturers prepare for the first major review of Britain's post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
From NHS staff shortages to export woes, the effects of the 2016 vote are still being felt.
European car makers are calling for a three-year delay in post-Brexit trade rules around electric cars – warning of both a loss of production and a potential €4.3 billion (£3.7 billion) tariff hit.
Manufacturing slump worsens as EU customers grow ‘tired of additional administrative Brexit checks’
02/06/2023
Clients are switching to local sourcing to avoid the post-Brexit trade complications, the PMI survey found.
The closely-watched S&P Global/ CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI survey showed a reading of 47.1 in May, down from 47.8 in April.
Vauxhall-maker warns Brexit may close its Luton plant as it marks production of 1.5million Vivaro vans
01/06/2023
Car maker, Stellantis, has warned that Brexit trade renegotiations may be needed for its Luton plant to survive.
Around 300 jobs at risk at Luton SKF factory as bearings manufacturer moves production to Europe
31/05/2023
About 300 jobs have been put at risk after a manufacturing firm announced plans to move production from the UK to Europe. / SKF has revealed plans to shut its plant in Luton and relocate manufacturing to its facility in Poznan in Poland.
Ministers were warned of the dangers of the EU trade deadline two years ago. Now, up to 200,000 jobs and £11bn worth of UK car exports could be in jeopardy.
Rishi Sunak is facing fresh demands to improve the UK’s Brexit deal with the EU.
Stellantis car manufacturers has urged the UK government to revisit elements of its Brexit deal with Europe, fearing the integrity of the British car industry supply chain and the future of the nation’s car industry.